Pomegranate Tree Group

Critical Conscious Raising

“Education is freedom” – Paulo Friere, 1974

In our pursuit of a socially just world we believe social change emerges from a critical examination of the root causes of suffering and oppression. Paulo Friere’s work on transformative education largely influences PTG’s aim of building resiliency and encouraging critical consciousness around gender based violence, patriarchy and the impact of violence on marginalized bodies. Through educational workshops, training, seminar, arts based education tools, we bring a critical awareness to communities working towards eliminating gender based violence.

We are available as speakers and facilitators on subjects ranging from self care, violence against women, community development, anti-oppression, forced marriage, ‘honour’ related violence and healing with the arts. Our innovative ideas, passion for the subject and sense of humour make us an engaging, dynamic and sought-after speaker for diverse audiences. Through the use of media, personal and structural stories, we create presentations that are professional, interactive, educational and uplifting. Pre- and post-event consultations are also available to help ensure that the unique needs of communities are met.

We have presented to and/or provided professional development with:

Women’s College Hospital & Mount Sinai Hospital

Centre for Student Development and Counselling, Ryerson University

Children’s Aid of Society of Peel Region

Sick Kids Hospital Toronto

Moncton YWCA

Training for Organizations on topics including:

Addressing “Honour” Related Violence & Forced Marriage

Self Care & Sustainable Organizations

Rape Culture & Sexual Assault

Conflict Resolution

Anti-Oppression

Praise for IZZAT

"It’s a comic book that begins with a love letter...A moving message that six young South Asian women in Toronto have written to their audience, their families and communities to explain why they have shared difficult stories of honour-based violence and resilience with the world.”Noor Javed, The Toronto Star

Praise for femifesto

"When a community's response to serial rape allegations is to publish a list of ways women can avoid being raped, there is gonna be outrage, because, duh. This infographic is cleverly disguised as sarcasm, but make no mistake: It stems from outrage about the systemic problem of blaming women for crimes perpetrated against them."

From How Not to Get Raped

“When violence happens in our families, we need a different response…not stigma, shame or guilt, but support, understanding and a commitment to change things." Read more.

From Heartbeats: The IZZAT Project

"We know that many of us, if not all of us, are survivors of violence, be it physical assault, colonization, racism, sexism, partition, or forced marriage. We believe that our communities can be sites of healing."

Healing Justice

"Healing justice uses tools that have been around for generations in our communities to heal bodies, hearts, and minds without leaving a part ourselves or our communities behind."

Praise for Heartbeats

"Heartbeats is a wonderful collection—for individuals familiar with South Asian communities or those hoping to learn more about some of the cultural expectations women from those communities may face. The stories allow women to share their experiences and how they address challenging family situations on their own terms and illustrate how women have their own inherent izzat and beauty deserving of community’s support, nurture, and compassion."Read more